Francis Story The Search for the Self

The search for Self is vain, because it is a search for something that does not exist except as a mythical concept which has had to be taken into the structure of language by common assent. If it is used in any other way than as a fictitious convenience - if it is taken as meaning something real and enduring - it cannot be anything but a stumbling-block to the development of right understanding.

Monday and Wednesday, UK Borders Bill Grand Committee, finishing with an extra day on top of the five originally scheduled. The Government made not a single concession in some 25 hours of debate, and the proverbial observer from Mars would be left wondering why Parliament has developed such an unproductive procedure.

Tuesday we had our seminar in human rights in Bangladesh, see earlier post. It was well-attended by key experts including the Acting High Commissioner, MPs, MEPs, the Asia Director of \Human Rights Watch, the Amnesty International researcher on Bangladesh, etc.

Friday I saw the consultant haematologist at King’s. No sign of any recurrence of the lymphoma, but there is an infrarenal aortic aneurism, 47 mm diameter, which I already knew, as it had been seen in 2002. They don’t normally recommend surgery for this condition, but only watchfulness if it increases to more than 50 mm. But a routine appointment will be made with the surgeon.

Then, a meeting with a researcher from the Hansard Society who is looking at the legislative process and has chosen the Immigration, Nationality and Asylum Act 2006 as one of her case studies.

In the afternoon, a visit from my old friend Carlos Reyes, the poet and photographer, who asked me to be a trustee of a new foundation to support his work for human rights and poverty alleviation, which I am very happy to do.

This week’s ping pong games went 4-3 to John William, cumulative score 59-58 in his favour.

Vital work to protect Silbury Hill from collapse has been halted after experts discovered potentially disastrous new holes inside the mound.

And specialists tunnelling into the 4,600-year-old manmade mound, described as Europe's answer to the Great Pyramid, say the situation has been compounded by the recent downpours.

The team involved in a £600,000 project to make the mysterious Wiltshire landmark safe were on Tuesday told to stop work by Health and Safety officials because it had become too dangerous.

Now it is having to completely reassess the operation to safeguard the 130ft-high monument, with the project likely to be extended by several weeks and cost many thousands more than planned.

Project manager Robert Harding yesterday admitted it had been a blow and the team was now looking to introduce new methods of completing the unique scheme.

He said: "Unfortunately, there are voids inside the hill that are much bigger than we expected both near tunnel we have been following and around the central chamber."

He said some material had collapsed into the tunnel and chamber, possibly as a result of the wet weather dampening the clay.

The project to make safe the hill, which occupies five- and-a-half acres of the Avebury World Heritage Site, was launched in 2000 when a gaping hole opened at the summit.

Heavy rains had exposed the top of a vertical, 100ft mining shaft dug by treasure hunter the Duke of Northumberland and his team of Somerset miners in 1776.

Hi-tech studies have since revealed further problems as a result of horizontal tunnels dug by John Merewether, the Dean of Hereford, in 1849, and archaeologist Professor Richard Atkinson in 1967-68.

The aim of the new project was to properly backfill all the previous tunnels and voids inside.

Since May, Mr Harding's team has been burrowing into the side of the hill following the Atkinson tunnel and using some of the arches installed 70 years ago.

After 85 metres it reached a central chamber in the heart of the structure where it became apparent that there were gaps that could prove dangerous, both to the hill's stability and the project team.

Mr Harding said team members would probably have to dig a new tunnel within the Atkinson tunnel using their own supports.

This would extend the project for several weeks until well into October, he said.

An English Heritage spokesman said: "Our expert archaeologists and engineers are developing a solution to take the project forward, with the aim to stabilise the hill for the long-term. We will issue a new programme for the completion of the works as soon as possible."

Last night Lord Avebury, whose grandfather permanently leased Silbury Hill to the nation more than a century ago, said: "Obviously, it's a very worrying situation. English Heritage told me they have had to stop because of technical reasons.

"The rains cannot have helped the situation. The stability of Silbury Hill is of greater concern now than ever."

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Speakers at a seminar in London on human rights situation in Bangladesh yesterday criticised the use of emergency powers, saying the practice undermines the rule of law.Expressing concern at custodial torture, they said some detainees were wrongfully arrested and subjected to ill treatment by law enforcers, according to a message received in Dhaka. International Bangladesh Foundation organised the seminar at the House of Lords with Lord Avebury in the chair. Members of the British Parliament (MP) and the European Parliament (MEP), peers of the House of Lords, and representatives of Commonwealth Secretariat, Liberation, Saferworld, Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, International Crisis Group, Jago Bangladesh, London School of Economics and University of London addressed the seminar.British MPs expressed concern at the 'undignified arrest' of former Bangladesh prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, and rejection of her application for bail. It was also suggested that a delegation of parliamentarians should visit Bangladesh to observe the situation.Speakers were also critical about restrictions on freedom of political parties to decide on how to democratise themselves. They suggested lifting the ban on political activities before the next general elections.The seminar criticised detention of a large number of people and lack of prosecutorial and judicial capacity to hold their trials promptly. In his inaugural speech, Lord Avebury said while attention has rightly been focused on the caretaker government's strategy for genuinely free and fair elections, reformation of the political system, and eradication of corruption, there is concern also about problems of human rights. He said establishment of a national human rights commission, as promised by the government, is a priority. Ashraf Uddin, acting high commissioner of Bangladesh, gave a comprehensive presentation on the caretaker government's commitment to minority and human rights in its reform plans. He said a draft of the law on the Human Rights Commission is about to be circulated among stakeholders for consultation. Baroness Uddin, chair of All Party Group on Bangladesh, Amnesty International's South Asia Researcher Abbas Faiz, Conservative Friends of Bangladesh Chair Ms Ann Main MP, Labour MP David Drew, Human Rights Watch Asia Director Brad Adams, and European Friends of Bangladesh Chair Dr Charles Tannock MEP also took part in the discussion.Other contributors included Harry Cohen MP, Tower Hamlets Mayor Councillor (Cllr) Ann Jackson, Awami League representative MA Rahim, BNP representative Barrister Jushna Miah, Gano Forum's representative Cllr Ayub Korom Ali, Respect Cllr Lutfa Begum, Bangla TV's MS Alam Liton, ex-Cllr Talal Karim and Akik Rahman Chowdhury. The AL representative said Sheikh Hasina was arrested and imprisoned under the emergency powers that appear to deny her basic legal rights, including legal representation.Speakers also discussed the 'failure' to bring to justice criminals who committed outrages during the last government's tenure, and the need to curb the activities of fanatics who stir up religious hatred.

Lord Avebury in his concluding remarks said, "We as fellow members of the Commonwealth, and with the ties of family and history that bind us together, want to see Bangladesh go through a new liberation, emerging with strong political, legal and human rights institutions."

While it was good that Peter May and his family had such an enjoyable visit to the Avebury World Heritage Site (Things to do with your family this week, Family, July 14), they ought to have been aware that Silbury Hill has been closed to visitors since 1974. Climbing the monument damages archaeology located just beneath the surface. It also threatens the flora and fauna, which are critical to Silbury Hill's status as a site of special scientific interest. Incursion on to the monument underlines the need to support the notices and fences prohibiting entry, with clear public messages and examples of good conduct sensitive to the best interests of the site.

Article continuesMy grandfather purchased Silbury Hill, introduced the first legislation to protect ancient monuments, and placed the hill under permanent guardianship. As owner of the site, I am concerned by the conflicting messages now being sent out by English Heritage, such as their plan to allow a "time capsule" to be buried in the monument. The current Silbury Hill conservation project, for which EH deserves credit, is designed to restore the original fabric by backfilling with pure chalk. Placing a foreign object in the monument offends conservation principles, as well as the spiritual beliefs of some people. Describing the object as a time capsule means that EH expects it to be retrieved at some future date, requiring further tunnelling, yet the current works have been undertaken to correct the mistakes of past excavations.

English Heritage should give the public clear uncomplicated messages about how to enjoy ancient monuments respectfully, and should set the very best of examples themselves.Eric AveburyHouse of Lords

Tony Blair spoke to Rupert Murdoch three times in nine days in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, it emerged yesterday, after the government caved in to a four-year campaign for the release of details of their conversations and meetings.

The Cabinet Office agreed to publish the dates of their contacts one day after the former prime minister left office. No further details of the calls are available and no details of informal meetings or conversations have been disclosed.

Article continuesIn all Mr Blair held six formal conversations with the media baron between March 2003 and October 2004. The first three took place on March 11, 13 and 19; military action against Iraq began early on March 20. A broadcasting row involving the BBC and BSkyB was also taking place.

They spoke again on January 29 2004 - the day after the Sun's exclusive publication of the Hutton report's findings - and on April 25, shortly after Mr Blair agreed to hold a referendum on the EU treaty. They held a sixth conversation on October 3, two days after Mr Blair announced he would stand down after his third term.

Liberal Democrat Lord Avebury first requested details of contact between the men in October 2003, but had no success. He then filed a formal complaint under the Freedom of Information Act in April 2005, requesting details of meetings and conversations from September 2002.

Last July the information commissioner ruled that official contacts could be disclosed. The Cabinet Office appealed but capitulated 10 months later. It published the dates yesterday. A Cabinet Office spokesman said: "We decided it was in the public interest to release it."

Lord Avebury said: "This is a welcome blow for the cause of freedom of information, but it shouldn't have taken so much time and effort ... Rupert Murdoch has exerted his influence behind the scenes on a range of policies on which he is known to have strong views including the regulation of broadcasting and the Iraq war.

"The public can now scrutinise the timing of his contacts with the former prime minister, to see whether they can be linked to events in the outside world. One hopes that the timing of the government's decision to capitulate indicates that under Gordon Brown's leadership freedom of information will be made a reality."

Tony Blair spoke to Rupert Murdoch three times in nine days in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, it emerged yesterday, after the government caved in to a four-year campaign for the release of details of their conversations and meetings.

The Cabinet Office agreed to publish the dates of their contacts one day after the former prime minister left office. No further details of the calls are available and no details of informal meetings or conversations have been disclosed.

Article continuesIn all Mr Blair held six formal conversations with the media baron between March 2003 and October 2004. The first three took place on March 11, 13 and 19; military action against Iraq began early on March 20. A broadcasting row involving the BBC and BSkyB was also taking place.

They spoke again on January 29 2004 - the day after the Sun's exclusive publication of the Hutton report's findings - and on April 25, shortly after Mr Blair agreed to hold a referendum on the EU treaty. They held a sixth conversation on October 3, two days after Mr Blair announced he would stand down after his third term.

Liberal Democrat Lord Avebury first requested details of contact between the men in October 2003, but had no success. He then filed a formal complaint under the Freedom of Information Act in April 2005, requesting details of meetings and conversations from September 2002.

Last July the information commissioner ruled that official contacts could be disclosed. The Cabinet Office appealed but capitulated 10 months later. It published the dates yesterday. A Cabinet Office spokesman said: "We decided it was in the public interest to release it."

Lord Avebury said: "This is a welcome blow for the cause of freedom of information, but it shouldn't have taken so much time and effort ... Rupert Murdoch has exerted his influence behind the scenes on a range of policies on which he is known to have strong views including the regulation of broadcasting and the Iraq war.

"The public can now scrutinise the timing of his contacts with the former prime minister, to see whether they can be linked to events in the outside world. One hopes that the timing of the government's decision to capitulate indicates that under Gordon Brown's leadership freedom of information will be made a reality."

Monday, July 16, 2007

From the Independent on Sunday: Rupe and Tony: the truth behind the affair beckonsBy Henry DeedesPublished: 15 June 2007

* When Tony Blair criticised the British press this week (reserving a special mention for this newspaper), he strangely made no reference to his chums over at Rupert Murdoch's Newscorp.

It provoked further accusations that the Prime Minister has enjoyed far too cosy a relationship with the "dirty digger" for the past 14 years. But after a lengthy struggle, we may soon find out just how cosy their friendship has been.

For the past two years, the Lib Dem peer Lord Avebury, above left, has been trying to obtain dates of conversations between the pair from 2003 to 2005 using the Freedom of Information Act.

Last year, the Cabinet Office informed him they would only reveal the Prime Minister spoke to Murdoch in March 2003 in an official capacity, refusing to disclose further conversations, because they were held either in private or party political circumstances.

Avebury argues that they would both discuss the same matters in whatever circumstances and therefore the other dates are a matter of public interest. He has now finally been granted a tribunal hearing to contest that decision, conveniently at the end of August, two months after Blair's departure.

"Tony Blair might be gone by then but it will at least show the next Prime Minister they can't keep these meetings secret," Avebury tells me.

"It is just not believable Tony Blair has only had one meeting with Rupert Murdoch during that time. This is a matter which is in the public interest."---------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

The picture below is one of some 25 by Ernest Griset, executed around 1870 to the specification of my grandfather Sir John Lubbock, maybe to accompany his book Prehistoric Times. This picture was taken to Australia by my sister Olivia, who gave it to her friend Dr Robert Gordon. All the rest are for the time being in the Orpington Museum.

The picture below that is my grandson Alastair,who was staying with us on Saturday evening. He has just graduated at Warwick University and hopes to do an MA there

Now that JW is home for a while, ping-pong has started again. Saturday I won a single game with JW and one with Alastair(all we had time for). Yesterday JW beat me 2-0 and today I beat him 2-0 making the cumulative score 54-53 in my favour.

Closure of the British Embassy in Madagascar two years ago: I asked how many times our High Commissioner in Mauritus had visited Antananarivo since then, bearing in mind that Madagascar is bigger in population and land area than the next two countries put together of the eight whee diplomatic posts had been closed in 2005-06, and why the Department for International Development is not in the list of countries receiving help from DfID, bearing in mind that 61 per cent of its population has to live on less than a dollar a day. The answer from Janet Royall was that there had been no visit by the High Commissioner, but one was planned shortly. And although there was no direct funding by DfID, we made a substantial contribution via the EU, the UN, and the World Bank.

Tuesday, on Terence Higgins’ question as to why individuals born after 1961 to a British mother and a father who is not a British national are entitled to British citizenship but those born before 1961 are not. I reminded the House that when Cathy Ashton, the new Leader of the House, had been asked this question in February 2006 she had said it was “sexism and nothing else as far as I am concerned”, and since no logical or substantive reason had ever been given for the difference in treatment, would the Minister come clean and tell us what it is. Steve Bassam replied laconically that there was nothing to come clean about.

Tuesday, meeting to discuss the devastating effects of pneumococcal disease on infant mortality and international work on vaccination; meeting with the Refugee Children’s Consortium on the UKBorders Bill.

Wednesday, meeting with Fellows of the John Smith Trust

Friday, recording an interview for a programme on Radio 4 on Gypsies and Travellers.